EPA Study of Fracking Finds 'No Widespread, Systemic' Pollution

[Purveyor]

Source: Bloomberg

by Mark DrajemJim Snyder
June 4, 2015 — 12:19 PM EDT

Hydraulic fracturing for oil and natural gas has contaminated some drinking wells but the impact is not widespread, according to three-year landmark U.S. study of water pollution risks released today.

The draft analysis looked at possible ways fracking, the drilling practice behind the U.S. energy boom, could contaminate water sources. These include spills of the fracking fluid shot underground and the migration of chemicals used in the practice to break apart shale rock to let the oil or gas flow.

“We did not find evidence that these mechanisms have led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources in the United States,” the EPA said in the report.

Some of the “mechanisms” associated with the drilling practice, however, have led to “impacts on drinking water resources,” the report concludes.

Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-06-04/u-s-epa-study-finds-only-limited-water-pollution-from-fracking

[malthaussen]

1. What a relief! n/t

[Spitfire of ATJ]

2. Yeah! They can still find clean water! So sit down and SHUT UP, citizen!

[Kelvin Mace]

3. So, pumping millions of gallons of toxic

and carcinogenic fluids into the ground is having little impact on groundwater?

I hope this is going to be a peer-reviewed study, because I am suspicious.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

5. SO do we mention the flaming tap water spout?

[Shadowflash]

4. Whew! That's a relief!

It only pollutes SOME of the water and wells and makes it unusable.

I'm sure those communities will sleep well knowing that it's ok because it was just them that got screwed.

[Dustlawyer]

6. It's our risk, their reward. The EPA, like all U.S. Regulatory agencies has been staffed at the

top by political appointments, intentionally starved to make doing their job properly, impossible, and such low pay to the rank and file that quality people do not stay! Corporate controlled and operated! This has to be utter bull shit!

[blackspade]

7. What a load of crap.

Then the EPA won't mind drinking this water themselves?

[Scalded Nun]

8. Another bought-for report created for the industry that paid for it.

I am so fucking shocked.

I am waiting for the report that states that the only reason for the increase in tremors lies with citizens farting too loudly.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

9. Cow Flatulence - Know all about it living in WISco

If more that 30-40 of them faht at the same time - look out!

[BlueEye]

10. A number of objective scientific studies have determined that Fracking *can* be done safely.

It will be important for the states and the Feds to regulate it to ensure said safety. But the scientific consensus is that it can be safely done:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-fracking-be-done-without-impacting-water/

I would warn everybody here that subordinating peer-reviewed, generally accepted science to your political sentiments generally looks bad. Look how stupid the GOP looks on climate change.

[Javaman]

11. best agency money can buy. nt

[Zorra]

12. The EPA (Energy Producer Allies) just barely got around to admitting that

strip mine mountaintop removal in Appalachia might be bad for the environment in the last decade or so.


After the frackers totally pollute and devastate as many communities, wild lands, and water resources as coal strip mines have, the EPA may send a sternly worded letter of admonition to the the frackers, asking them to please be more careful in the future.



We desperately need a POTUS like Bernie Sanders who will stand up stand up to big corporations, corporate devastation of our communities and planet, and wholly owned corporate subsidiaries in our government like the EPA.